Optical air lens system

ABSTRACT

In an optical system the use of .Iadd.one or .Iaddend.a plurality of air lenses set in an optical medium of higher refractive index than air at a predetermined distance from an object such that various optical aberrations are minimized or eliminated by using aplanatic optical surfaces. Refraction occurs only for a ray going from the higher to the lower refractive index medium. Rays entering the higher refractive index medium from the lower are never refracted since the optical surface is always chosen to have its center .[.or.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.radius coincident with the object or image being optically operated on by the lens. The system can be used to magnify the image of an object, the object being most any two-dimensional representation such as a negative or a positive print. The object might alternatively be a light source or an external object whose rays are imaged onto an embedded light sensor so that the functions of the source or sensor respectively can be enhanced by the optical system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.427,257, filed Dec. 21, 1973 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to an optical system and more particularly to oneusing air lenses formed either as pockets in a solid monolithic opticalmedium or from thick or thin walled shells adapted to be immersed in aliquid optical medium.

The use of air lenses in submarine applications such as for swimmers orunderwater photography has long been common to compensate fordistortions introduced by the differences in refraction of light inwater and air due to the difference in optical densities of the twomediums. The lenses of the human eye, being immersed in a waterysolution which has an index of refraction quite similar to that ofwater, cannot focus light transmitted through a water medium, andundistorted vision is impossible without some optical correction. Theuse of air lenses formed from thin walled transparent materialcompensates for such distortion under water but has no substantialdiffracting effect when used in air, thus permitting a swimmer to wearsuch lenses in and out of the water. In underwater photography airlenses have been interposed between the camera optics and the watermedium to effect such corrections as are necessary for proper focus.

Because the refractive index of air is less than that of water, therefraction of a ray of light passing from water to air to water isexactly the opposite of the refraction of a water lens in air. A wateror glass lens in air would have to be convex to focus the light at somecertain point. But in water or in some other optical medium of highrefractive index, an air lens would necessarily have to be concave toachieve the same result.

Optical systems of this type relate closely to immersion optics used insome high power microscopes. Such systems achieve nearly aberration- anddistortion-free magnification based largely on the utilization of theaplanatic points of a system. The significance of an aplanatic point ofa system is that a ray emanating from such a point within an opticalmedium having a refractive index higher than its surroundings appears tocome exactly from another point (the aplanatic conjugate). The lightrays are not in general collimated when they leave the high index mediumbut they have no spherical aberration. This is an important property ofaplanatic points since spherical aberration is a common form ofaberration which consequently is most important to correct. For on-axisimaging, it is indeed the only aberration. For near off-axis points, thesine condition is satisfied and coma is also eliminated.

A well-known aplanatic lens which will increase the convergence of acone of rays without introducing spherical aberration must meet severalgeneral conditions. A first optical surface or "aplanatic surface" isarranged in relation to the object according to the followingrelationship:

    l=r(n.sub.2 +n.sub.1)/n.sub.2                              ( 1)

where l is the distance between the vertex of the surface and theobject; r is the radius of curvature of the surface; n₁ and n₂ are therefractive indices of the first and second optical mediums (n₂ >n₁). Asecond surface is made concentric with the image formed by the firstsurface. The rays are then not refracted by the second surface but arerefracted by the first surface without introducing spherical aberration.

In the present invention an improved optical system is achievedutilizing air lenses in an optical medium of high refractive index byapplying the aplanatic principle to the arrangement of lenses andobject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an optical system is provided composedof a first optical medium of a relatively high refractive index having aplurality of pockets therein of an optical medium of a relatively lowrefractive index. An object either embedded within the first opticalmedium or directly contiguous to it is positioned at a fixedpredetermined distance from the pluratity of pockets, which for instanceif filled with air would comprise air lenses. The plurality of pocketshaving properly configured interfaces with said first optical medium areso constructed to give substantially spherical aberration- and coma-freemagnification of the object. Each pocket has at least two opticalsurfaces defined by the interfaces between optical mediums. A rayexiting a high refractive index medium is either refracted according tothe aplanatic principle or passes through the optical surfaceunrefracted. But a ray exiting a low refractive index medium into a highrefractive index medium is never refracted. The radii of curvature andthe vertices for each of the surfaces are chosen to meet theseconditions. When more than two optical mediums are used, the sameprinciples are applied. In alternative arrangements the object can be alight source or a light sensor or other proper optical object, theoptical system being so designed to improve the functional operation ofeither device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 respectively show schematically an eye viewing anobject unaided by optics, aided by a normal condensing lens in air andaided by an air lens in a solid optical medium, the object beingembedded in the solid.

FIG. 4A shows a series of air lenses in a solid homogeneous opticalmedium utilizing the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a system of air lenses made from variable thickness,light-transmissive material immersable in a liquid and utilizing theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a modified embodiment of a series of air lenses made fromthin-wall, light transmissive material immersible in a liquid andutilizing the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of the present invention in partialcross-section.

FIG. 6B shows a detail cross-section of the object structure of theembodiment of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows the detailed relationship of the elements of FIG. 6A incross-section.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention in whichindividual lens elements are detachable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used in this specification it is to be understood that the termslight and optical broadly include and refer to electromagnetic radiationin the wavelength range including infrared, visible, and ultraviolet.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 an object 8 is positioned in eachFigure a specific distance from a viewer represented by eye 10. In FIG.1 the unaided eye 10 views object 8 which subtends an angle β at eye 10,encompassing the total length of object 8.

In FIG. 2 a simple positive lens 12 is interposed between eye 10 andobject 8. By converging action of the lens 12 an image 14 of the object8 is formed and magnified in a ratio proportional to α/β Magnificationis determined by the linear size of the image 14 and its distance fromeye 10.

In FIG. 3 a block 16 of a solid, homogeneous, isotropic optical medium,such as glass, plastic, etc., which is transmissive to light is shown incross-section. The block 16 has a refractive index n₂. Embedded in block16 is object 8. The block 16 is located such that object 8, for ease ofcomparison, is the same distance from eye 10 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. It isto be noted that essentially the same magnifying action will occur whenobject 8, which for instance could be a photographic print or a negativeis contiguous to block 16, such as being affixed as a thin film flatagainst the bottom 18 of block 16.

A pocket 20 is formed in the block 16 during fabrication which containsair, a less dense optical medium, having a refractive index n₁. Therefractive index of the block 16, n₂, is higher than n₁, therebyproviding an optical system with just the reverse refractivecharacteristics from that shown in FIG. 2 where an optically dense lens12 is immersed in air.

The pocket 20 acts as an air lens in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3having concave optical surfaces 22 and 24. The object 8 is shown at adistance d from the optical mid-plane of air lens 20, the particulardistance and curvature of surfaces 22 and 24 being determined by gooddesign considerations to give an image with as little distortion aspossible.

The magnified image 14 is formed as a result of light refraction at theinterface between the top surface of block 16 and the air and also therefraction at the interfaces of the air lens 20 in the block 16. Themagnified image 14 is subtended at eye 10 by the angle α, and a measureof the magnification is the ratio of angles α/β.

In FIG. 4A a block 28 of a solid isotropic and homogeneous opticalmedium is shown in cross-section having a plurality of air pockets 30,32 and 34, formed therein. The air pockets are essentially lens elementseach having optical surfaces formed in a spherically concave shape withrespect to the object 36. It will be appreciated that variouscombinations of concave and convex surfaces could be used which would beoptically equivalent to the system shown.

In this optical system, the aplanatic principle is successively appliedto each air lens 30, 32, and 34 by the proper choice of curvature forthe air lens interfaces (optical surfaces) with the surfaces of theblock 28. The sequentially alternate optical surfaces, going from highto low refractive index mediums in the direction of ray 38, refract theray aplanatically. This is accomplished by designing the vertices ofeach such surface to be at an aplanatic point in accordance withequation (1). The other sequentially alternate optical surfaces, goingfrom low to high refractive index mediums, do not refract ray 38 at all.This is accomplished by designing these surfaces to have centers ofcurvature coincident with the location of the images formed by thepreceding surface. Spherical aberration and coma are thereby essentiallyeliminated. The refractive index for the optical medium comprising theblock 28 is indicated by n₂, while the refractive index for the aircontained in the air lenses is n₁, where n₁ ≃1.0.

Assuming for purposes of explanation that object 36 is a light source, atypical light ray 38 from object 36 will be traced through the block 28and air lenses 30, 32 and 34 until it emanates from the optical system.The object 36 is positioned at the aplanatic point nearest the vertex ofsurface 40 whose curvature is defined by a radius R₁. Because the objectis at an aplanatic point refraction is free from spherical aberrationand coma.

Ray 38 proceeds through the air lens 30 as though it emanated from theaplanatic point 44 farthest from the vertex of surface 40. The secondsurface 42 of the air lens 30 having a radius of curvature R₂ isdesigned such that the light source appears to be at its center ofcurvature 44; therefore no refraction occurs and the ray proceedsundeviated.

The first surface 48 of the air lens 32 is designed so that the image ofthe object 36 located at point 44, which is at the center of curvatureof surface 42, lies at the aplanatic point nearest the vertex of thesurface 48. The radius of curvature for surface 48 is R₃. Again, becauseof aplanatic refraction the ray appears to come from the aplanatic pointfarthest from the vertex of surface 48. Surface 50 having radius R₄ isdesigned so that rays appear to come from point .[.56.]..Iadd.53.Iaddend., the center of curvature of surface 50. Therefore thepath of ray 38 is undeviated upon leaving this surface.

The first surface 52 of air lens 34 is designed so that the apparentsource of ray 38 lies at point 55 on the optical axis 46, the center ofcurvature of surface 50 and at the aplanatic point nearest the vertex ofsurface 52. The radius of curvature for surface 52 is R₅. Aplanaticrefraction of ray 38 occurs at surface 52 causing the ray 38 to appearto come from the aplanatic point 55 farthest from the vertex of surface52.

At surface 56 of air lens 34, having a radius R₆, the ray 38 is slightlybut not aplanatically refracted to assist in collimating it with respectto axis 46. The top surface 57 with a radius R₇ acts to complete thecollimation of the ray 38. Thus these last two surfaces cause onlyslight refraction of the ray and therefore complete final collimationwith negligible introduction of aberration.

More than the three air lenses shown could be used in alternateconfiguration so that the light emanating from block 28 is so nearlycollimated that optical surfaces such as surfaces 56 and 57 need havevery weak power. Thus although not aplanatic, they could complete thecollimation while introducing almost completely negligible sphericalaberration and coma. It is to be noted that the rays from the objectpoint must originate or appear to originate inside the optical medium ofhigh refractive index n₂. In the optical system of FIG. 4A thiscondition for aplanacity was satisfied by choosing a curvature ofsurface 40 so that aplanatic refraction occurred there.

Where object 36 is a light source embedded in the high refractive indexmedium, block 28, the rays emanating therefrom, start from the highrefractive index medium, thereby satisfying the condition for immersionoptics as discussed above. Of course, conversely, rays arriving in thehigh refractive index medium can be brought to a focus at object 36,which can alternatively be a light detector. In the case where object 36is a detector, the gain in brightness over a system, whose image surfaceis in air, varies as the square of the refractive index of the medium.Therefore, the light gain of the optical system of FIG. 4A is greatlyenhanced because of the high optical density of the medium and becauseof freedom from spherical aberration. The configuration of FIG. 4A cancollect and gather light effectively at a detector, or converselycollimate efficiently the light from a radiant source such as alight-emitting diode into a beam of constant cross-section.

The block 28 also lends itself to a structure of overall stability, foronce properly aligned, each optical surface and the light source,detector or object to be magnified, being embedded in block 28, would berigidly held in proper inter-relationship. The block 28, indeed, may bea monolithic structure of a material such as an acrylic, polyester,polycarbonate, glass, or other similar type optical material.

The optical air lens system described herein utilizes only a singleoptical material in addition to air. This introduces chromaticaberration when using white light and thus necessitates special designconsiderations. Chromatic aberration in conventional systems isgenerally reduced or eliminated by using optical materials havingdifferent dispersion (the variation of refractive index with wavelength)characteristics. The use of this technique is obviously not possible inthe design of an optical system which utilizes a single opticalmaterial.

In order to realize an achromatic condition in such a system, the designapproach here is to arrange the powers and spacings so that, in additionto correction of other aberrations, the total power variation relativeto be a refractive index change is small or zero. Thus, denoting thetotal optical power by φ, ##EQU1##

The principle is illustrated in a well-known doublet eyepiece asfollows. The total power is:

    φ=(n-1)K.sub.1 +(n-1)K.sub.2 -(n-1).sup.2 K.sub.1 K.sub.2 s (3)

where n is the refractive index, which is identical for both doubletcomponents, K₁ and K₂ are geometrical constants, and s is the doubletseparation. The derivative of φ is: ##EQU2## and this must equal zero.Multiplying the derivative through by n-1 produces:

    (n-1)K.sub.1 +(n-1)K.sub.2 -2(n-1).sup.2 K.sub.1 K.sub.2 s=0. (5)

Since (n-1)K₁ and (n-1)K₂ are powers, respectively, of the twocomponents, φ₁ and φ₂, ##EQU3## where ƒ₁ and ƒ₂ are the focal lengths ofcomponents 1 and 2. Therefore the doublet shows no variation withwavelength and is achromatic when the doublet separation equals the meanof the focal lengths.

The optical air lens system of a single optical material is not sosimple, especially as the object rays originate in the high indexmedium. However, the principle is the same and will produceachromaticity if in the design of the air lens system the same generalconsiderations are taken.

The values for the optical parameters of an exemplary design for theembodiment of FIG. 4A wherein the first optical medium 28 is a solid,acrylic plastic and the second optical medium in pockets 30, 32 and 34is a gas such as air are given in the table below. An aplanatic air lenssystem employing the principles described in the instant case includingobject image relationships stated in equation 1 is exemplified in thefollowing design.

The monolithic material which is acrylic plastic has a refractive indexn₂ =1.491, and an Abbe constant V=61.6. The refractive index n₁ of theair in pockets 30, 32 and 34 is unity. The object is at location 36 ofFIG. 4A. The vertex of the first spherical surface, 40 is 0.417673 unitsabove object 36, all vertices lying on the optical axis, 46. The radiusof curvature R₁ of surface 40 is -0.25 units (concave toward the object36); therefore, according to equation 1, the object is at an aplanaticpoint of refracting surface 40. Upon refraction, it will appear to comefrom a point 0.62275 units below surface 40, the magnification being1.491. The vertex of surface 42 is 0.06 units above that of surface 40.The radius of surface 42 is 0.68275 units; therefore the image formed bysurface 40 is at the center of curvature of surface 42 and no refractionoccurs as the rays re-enter the high refractive index medium.

The rays proceed to surface 48 of air lens 38 where they areaplanatically refracted upon leaving the high refractive index medium,the radius of curvature of surface 48 is -0.707941 units (concave towardthe object 36). The vertex of surface 48 lies on optical axis 46, 0.5units above the vertex of surface 42.

Surface 50 has its center of curvature at the image formed by surface 48and no refraction occurs upon re-entering the high refractive indexmedium. The first surface 52 of air lens 34 produces the final aplanaticrefraction in the same fashion as before described for surfaces 40 and48.

The final surfaces, namely the second surface, 56 of cavity 34, and thetop surface 57 of the block 28 do not refract ray 38 aplanaticallyaccording to equation 1, but ray 38 is so nearly parallel to opticalaxis 46 that these surfaces need exert only weak refractive power torender ray 38 parallel. The required dioptics are so few, in fact, thata configuration wherein the top surface of block 28 is plano wouldproduce high optical quality. Allowing the top surface 57 of block 28 tohave a non-zero curvature as shown in FIG. 4A permits a design providingnear perfect optical quality.

The following table summarizes the optical parameters for the abovedesign. All negative radii indicate concave downward curvature and allcenters and vertices are on the optical axis 46. The curvatures andspacings are referenced starting from the bottom of block 28. Dimensionsare in arbitrary units. The refractive index and Abbe constant of thefirst optical material are n₁ =1.491 and V=61.6 and since the secondoptical medium is air, n₂ =1.0.

    ______________________________________                                                                 Separation from                                      Surface    Radius (R)    Previous Vertex (d)                                  ______________________________________                                                                 417673 (Separation                                   40         -.25 (R1)     from object 36)                                      42         -.682750 (R2) .06                                                  48         -.707941 (R3) .5                                                   50         -1.823480 (R4)                                                                              .06                                                  52         -1.390682 (R5)                                                                              .5                                                   56         10.990797 (R6)                                                                              .06                                                  57         -2.094874 (R7)                                                                              125                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The following table confirms the near perfect optical performance of thedesign. The table shows the longitudinal spherical aberration ofparallel rays incident at the top of block 28, parallel to axis 46, andbrought to a point focus at the location of object 36 on optical axis46. This reverse ray trace is, of course, a classical optical test ofimage quality. Unaberrated rays will come to a focus 0.417673 unitsbelow the vertex of surface 40 as stated in the table below.

The column denoted L.S.A. (longitudinal spherical aberration) indicatesthe height above the ideal point at which rays intersect the opticalaxis 46. The first column indicates the distance from optical axis 46 atwhich parallel rays, parallel to axis 46 enter block 28. The opticiandesignates this quantity the ray height.

    ______________________________________                                        Ray Height  L.S.A.      Tangential Coma                                       ______________________________________                                        .1          .00020                                                            .2          .00075                                                            .3          .00165                                                            .4          .00287                                                            .5          .00439      .003 (Maximum)                                        ______________________________________                                    

The significance of the table is emphasized by the air lens system speedof approximately ƒ/1. This illustrates its efficient light-gatheringpower, or again its unusual ability to collimate a small light source.

One should be aware that the object's position can be adjusted withinlimits. The object 36 is shown in FIG. 4A located at the bottom of block28, either within the block 28 itself or contiguous to the bottomsurface 35. Object 36 should be substantially located at the nearestaplanatic point to the surface 40, but indeed small changes in thelocation of the object 36 may introduce only slight aberration. Forinstance placing the object in a depression in the bottom surface oreven next adjacent the block 28 but still approximately at the aplanaticpoint may not introduce significant aberration for a given application.Also the object 36 can be placed in a spherical air cavity in the bottomsurface 35 centered on optical axis 46 without introducing anyadditional aberration, provided the object is still substantially at theaplanatic point of surface 40 and at the center of curvature of thecavity.

Now referring to FIG. 4B, a further embodiment of the present inventionis shown which utilizes three optical mediums and in which air lenses140 and 142 are constructed of variable wall thickness shells made of atranslucent optical material such as plastic or glass and immersed in aliquid 144 such as water. An object 146 is shown on the optical axis 148of the optical air lens system.

The optical system including lenses 140 and 142 and object 146 are heldin relative position one to the other by structure not shown here suchas that disclosed with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. This particularembodiment refracts light according to the aplanatic principle atalternate surfaces as the light passes from a high to a low refractiveindex medium. Alternate optical surfaces, as the light goes from low tohigh refractive index medium, however, are so constructed to have theircenter of curvature coincident with the image or object thereforecausing no refraction of light. It will be recognized that thisembodiment consequently does not require the assumption of thenegligible refraction at certain surfaces as is required by theembodiment of FIG. 5.

Typically the pockets 150 and 152 of air lenses 140 and 142respectively, contain air having a refractive index n₁. The walls oflenses 140 and 142 can be constructed of an optical material such asglass or plastic having a refractive index n₃. The liquid 144 istypically water having a refractive index n₂. In such a configuration,the refractive indices of the various materials are related as followsn₁ <n₂ <n₃.

Assuming object 146 to be a light source, a ray 154 can be tracedthrough the system of FIG. 4B. Ray 154 emanates from object 146 which iscoincident with the center of curvature of the first optical surface 156which has a radius R₁. No refraction therefore occurs at surface 156.

The second optical surface 158 having a radius of curvature R₂ is soconstructed to cause the object point 146 to be an aplanatic pointaccording to equation 1. The liquid in the system does not alter theaplanatic refraction process since only air and the solid shell materialof lens 142 define the interface and affect the direction of ray 154. Atthe surface 158, ray 154 passes from a high to a low refractive indexmedium.

Ray 154 proceeds undeviated through the next or third optical surface160 which has a radius of curvature R₃. There is no refraction at thethird surface 160 since the center of curvature coincides with the point161 located on optical axis 148. The image point 161 is the point fromwhich ray 154 appears to come after refraction at the second opticalsurface 158. The upper surface of lens 142, i.e. the fourth opticalsurface 162 which has a radius of curvature R₄ does refract the ray 154aplanatically. Here the interfacing optical media producing aplanaticrefraction are the liquid having a refractive index n₂ and the solidshell material of lens 142 having refractive index of n₃. The ray 154now twice aplanatically refracted proceeds through the liquid medium 144as though it were emanating from image point 163 on optical axis 148.

The ray 154 proceeds unrefracted through the fifth optical surface 164which has a radius of curvature R₅ since the center of curvature of thissurface coincides with the image point 163. But the ray 154 is againaplanatically refracted at the sixth optical surface 166 which has aradius of curvature R₆. This refraction occurs because the image point163 is at an aplanatic point with reference to surface 166 as requiredby equation 1.

The ray 154 now proceeds through the air pocket 150 being nearlyparallel with the optical axis 148 of the system. Therefore anon-aplanatic refraction at surface 168 which has a radius or curvatureR₇ tends to complete the collimation of the ray without introducingsignificant image degradation. The final optical surface 170 with aradius of curvature R₈ further completes the collimation process. Thelast two optical surfaces are curved to minimize the residualaberrations introduced at this refraction. Of course, the finalinterface is that of the liquid air boundary 172 where ray 154 emergesfrom the system. This boundary is necessarily optically flat, having noeffect on ray 154 assuming the system has successfully collimated theray and it exits normal to surface 172.

The values for the optical parameters of an exemplary design for theembodiment of FIG. 9, are given in the table below. It is assumed thatthe liquid medium is water, the optical shell material is BK-7 opticalglass and the pockets 150 and 152 are air pockets. The respectiverefractive indices are: water--1.330; BSC-2 (BK-7)--1.51700 andair--1.0. All measurements are made on optical axis 148 where allcenters of curvature lie. The first spacing d is the distance from theobject point 146 to the vertex of the first surface 156 and thesubsequent spacings indicate the distances between the respectivevertices of the optical surfaces. The final spacing is the distance fromthe optical surface 170 to the surface 172. The radii are numberedstarting from the first surface 156 and the dimensions are in arbitraryunits.

    ______________________________________                                                               Separation from                                        Surface    Radius (R)  Previous Vertex (d)                                    ______________________________________                                        1 (156)    -.25 (R.sub.1)                                                                            .25                                                    2 (158)    -.18684 (R.sub.2)                                                                         .06                                                    3 (160)    -.53027 (R.sub.3)                                                                         .06                                                    4 (162)    -.34916 (R.sub.4)                                                                         .125                                                   5 (164)    -1.24404 (R.sub.5)                                                                        .49663                                                 6 (166)    -.82513 (R.sub.6)                                                                         .125                                                   7 (168)    +100 (R.sub.7)                                                                            .25                                                    8 (170)    -.45583 (R.sub.N)                                                                         .125                                                   9 (172)    ∝    .5                                                     ______________________________________                                    

As can be seen from the above design parameters, all optical refractinginterfaces, except those final low powered surfaces for collimation andthe top surface of the system, are designed to either aplanaticallyrefract ray 154 or not to refract it at all. For those surfaces whichaplanatically refract, namely optical surfaces 158, 162 and 166, therelationship between object or image and surface curvature aredetermined by equation 1.

A special modification of this optical lens system having a thin-walledshell structure is shown in FIG. 5. This system can be considered to becomprised of only two optical materials (gas and liquid) therebyassuming the shell structure itself to have negligible optical effect.Or it can be considered to be a system including three optical materials(gas, liquid and solid), but with the optical surfaces of the shellbeing shaped and configured to minimize its effect on the opticalcharacteristics of the system. When characterized as a system comprisedof three optical materials, it will be recognized to be a modificationof the embodiment of FIG. 4B, discussed above.

In FIG. 5 a thin-walled structure 58 of a light-transmitting material isshown immersed in a liquid having a refractive index n₂. The walls ofstructure 58 have a constant thickness and for purposes of this analysiswill be assumed to be made of an optical material having a refractiveindex n₃ >n₂. For instance the walls could be of an optical glass withn₃ ≃1.5 and the liquid could be water with n₂ ≃1.33.

A first air lens 59 is shown defined by curved, light-transmissive walls60 and 62 which form, relative to object 61, first and second refractioninterfaces, respectively, between the liquid medium and the air withinthe cavity 64 of the air lens 59. Since air has a refractive index ofunity, n₁ <n₂ <n₃.

A second air lens 66 is defined by curved, light-transmissive walls 68and 70 which form, relative to object 61, first and second refractioninterfaces, respectively, between the liquid medium and the air withincavity 72 of air lens 66. The first and second air lens 59 and 66 areheld rigidly relative one to the other by structure 58 so that theoptical axis 74 of the system is also the axis of symmetry of the lenssystem.

For magnification of object 61 the structure 58 is positioned so thatobject 61 coincides with the center of curvature of the curved wall 60as determined by radius R₁. Structure 58 can be positioned manually, orit can be so fabricated so that its buoyancy causes it to stabilize atsome given depth in a liquid medium. Alternatively, the structure 58could include a stand, not shown in FIG. 5, which would position the airlens system the proper distance above object 61 by finding support onthe floor 76 of the liquid container.

Light ray 78 is representative of the path of light through the air lenssystem of FIG. 5. As is readily apparent, the principle of aplanacitycan be used in this structure to effectively eliminate or limitspherical aberration and coma. Tracing ray 78 through the first wall 60there is no refraction. Each side of the wall 60 offers an opticalsurface between mediums of different refractive indices. But the object61 is located at the center of curvature for each surface and so norefraction of ray 78 occurs at either.

The ray 78 passes from a lower refractive index medium (n₁) to a higherrefractive index medium (n₃) as it enters the wall 62. Consequentlythere should be no refraction to be consistent with the aplanaticprinciples previously discussed. Rather than no refraction, a smallrefraction occurs at the first surface of wall 62. However, ray 78 isaplanatically refracted at the upper surface of wall 62 as the ray exitsthe higher refractive index medium (n₃) and enters the lower refractiveindex medium, (n₂). To accomplish a slight refraction at the bottomsurface of wall 62 and an aplanatic refraction at the top surface ofwall 62 may require the two surfaces to have somewhat different radii.The ray 78 then proceeding through the liquid medium appears to comefrom a point 80 on the optical axis 74.

The wall 68 is designed to have a center of curvature at point 80 and aradius of curvature R₂. Consequently, the ray 78 passes through wall 68with no refraction into the cavity 72 of lens 66. The ray 78 when itemerges from the second surface of wall 70 of air lens 66 is refractedas before discussed in reference to wall 62.

The optical system of FIG. 5 operates on light in a manner analogous tothat of the system in FIG. 4B. Three optical mediums with indices n₁,n₂, and n₃ are integrated into the system, but the principle ofrefracting only when the object or image is at an aplanatic pointrelative to the optical surface is substantially followed in the systemof FIG. 5. Refraction also occurs only from high to low refractive indexmediums, except for negligible refraction at the air to wall interfacewithin each lens 59 and 66.

In FIG. 6A a particular application for the air lens systems of eitherFIGS. 4B or 5, incorporated in a drinking straw, is shown incross-section wherein additionally the object structure 82 is fixedlypositioned a given distance D₁ and D₁ +D₂ relative to the lens systemcomprised of air lenses 84 and 86 respectively. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6A the air lens system has been permanently attached to a drinkingstaw 88 (representative of one application to novelty-type devices)which can be submerged in a liquid having a refractive index n₂.

The air lenses 84 and 86 have air cavities 90 and 92, respectively,having a refractive index n₁ where n₁ <n₂. Each is confined by curved,light-transmissive walls with an index n₃ higher than n₁ and n₂ whichalso establish the optical surfaces of the air lenses 84 and 86. Lens 84can be made having a smaller radius than that of lens 86, as forinstance was done in FIG. 5, thereby maximizing magnification of system.The lens 84 includes curved walls 94 and 96, and lens 86 includes curvedwalls 98 and 100.

The structure is given stability by struts 101 and 103 and by straw 88,which can all be of plastic for instance. The object structure 82 canalso be made removable or replaceable as shown in FIG. 6B, for example,wherein element 83 containing the object 85 is threadably attached tothe bottom 87 of the straw assembly.

The optical principles previously described can be applied likewise tothe device of FIG. 6A. This is shown in detail in FIG. 7. Generally, itwill be readily seen that by proper optical design, the aplanaticprinciple can be repeatedly applied to any number of air lenses such as84 and 86 to obtain magnification with little or no sphericalaberration. Of course the optical system having variable wall thicknessof FIG. 4B could also be used in the structure of FIG. 7.

In FIG. 8 another variation using a plurality of air lenses 102, 104 and106, which can be removably attached one to another, is shown. Thisembodiment can use the basic concepts of either FIGS. 4B or 5, each lensis self-contained and fabricated of a thin walled, light-transmissivematerial having curved wall portions, enclosing an air cavity. Air lens106, for example, has side wall segments 108 forming a cylinder spannedby curved wall portions 110 and 112 which provide the optical surfacesfor the lens. Such a lens could be immersed in a liquid mediumindividually or attached in combination with other air lenses.

Small magnetic segments 114 of a suitable magnetic material are affixedto the outer perimeter of the cylindrical wall portions 108, 109 and 111of the lenses 106, 104 and 102 respectively. The segments 114 can bespaced equally around the circumference of each lens in a manner suchthat corresponding segments of different lens elements can easily bealigned. Sufficient segments 114 are used to hold the lenses in adetachable alignment one with another, and in the limiting case thesegments 114 can form a continuous magnetic ring around the entirecircumferance of the wall portions. It is to be understood that othermethods of attaching the lenses in a stacked relationship can be used,such as with bolts or pins inserted through appropriate brackets oralternate interior and exterior threaded portions on the wall segments.

Each lens element 102, 104 and 106 is additionally designed with holes118 in the wall portions 111, 109 and 108 respectively, or with flutededges 120 to allow passage of fluid into the spaces between the attachedlenses.

An object disc 122 containing some object 124, such as a photographicprint, is shown having side wall segments 126 which form a cylinderspanned by light-transmissive top wall 128 and bottom wall 130. Theobject disc 122 is scaled to the size of the individual lens elements102, 104 and 106 and also has magnetic segments 114 mounted in sidewallsegments 126 so that the disc can be attached to one or more of the airlens elements. Thus a total optical air lens system comprised of anobject disc 122 and a plurality of lenses such as 102, 104 and 106 canbe put together into a rigid structure which also can be easilydisassembled by applying sufficient force to overcome the magneticholding force.

It should be clear that the plurality of air lens elements and theobject disc 122 of FIG. 8 can be designed with proper curvature ofoptical surfaces and adjustment of distances between elements by usingvarious surfaced optical elements, including prisms, magnifying anddemagnifying lenses, such that the optical principles describes abovecan be applied to this embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical lens system operative on a light raycomprising:a first optical medium having a first refractive index, asecond optical medium having a second refractive index of a higher valuethan said first refractive index, a plurality of pockets formed in saidsecond optical medium containing said first optical medium, saidplurality of pockets having a single coincident optical axis and eachdefining first and second optical surfaces at the interfaces betweensaid first and second optical mediums, an object located substantiallyat an aplanatic point of at least one of said optical surfaces within orcontiguous to said second .[.opical.]. .Iadd.optical .Iaddend.medium,selected surfaces from among said first and second optical surfacesthrough which said light ray when emanating in a direction from saidobject toward said plurality of pockets is refracted when passing fromhigh to low refractive index mediums being so constructed and arrangedrelative to said object to refract said ray aplanatically therebysubstantially eliminating spherical aberration and coma, and all saidoptical surfaces other than said selected surfaces are so constructedand arranged to pass said light ray substantially without refraction. 2.The optical lens system of claim 1 wherein said selected opticalsurfaces are the first optical surfaces of each of said plurality ofpockets.
 3. The optical lens system of claim 1 wherein all of said firstand second optical surfaces are concave with respect to said object. 4.The optical lens system of claim 1, further including at least one finaloptical surface of low .[.powder.]. .Iadd.power .Iaddend.for causingfinal collimation of said light ray relative to the longitudinal axis ofsaid optical lens system.
 5. The optical lens system of claim 1, whereinall said optical surfaces other than said selected optical surfaces areso constructed and arranged to have their respective centers ofcurvature substantially coincident with the image formed by the nextpreceding optical surface.
 6. The optical lens system of claim 1 whereinsaid second optical medium is a light-transmissive, isotropic,monolithic solid, said object being embedded in or contiguous to saidsecond optical medium and all said optical surfaces of said plurality ofpockets being so constructed and arranged to form a magnified image ofsaid object while reducing optical aberrations.
 7. The optical lenssystem of claim 6 wherein said first optical medium is a gas.
 8. Theoptical lens system of claim 1, wherein said object is an optical sensorand wherein said optical surfaces defined by said plurality of pocketsare so arranged and constructed to optimize light gathering at saidoptical sensor.
 9. The optical lens system of claim 1 wherein saidsecond optical medium is a light transmissive, isotropic solid, saidobject is a light emitting source and said optical surfaces defined bysaid plurality of pockets are so arranged to collimate said light rayemanating from said optical system relative to the optical axis of saidoptical system.
 10. An optical lens system operative on a light raycomprising:a first optical medium having a first refractive index, asecond optical medium having a second refractive index, a plurality ofpockets which contain said first optical medium, a third optical mediumhaving a third refractive index configured to define said pockets andbeing contiguous to said first and second optical mediums, said thirdrefractive index being higher in .[.valve.]. .Iadd.value .Iaddend.thansaid second refractive index and said second refractive index beinghigher in value than said first refractive index, a plurality of opticalsurfaces having coincident optical axes and being defined by theinterface between said first and third optical mediums and said secondand third optical mediums, an object located substantially at anaplanatic point of at least one surface within or contiguous to saidfirst optical medium, selected optical surfaces from among saidplurality of optical surfaces through which said light ray emanating ina direction from said object toward said plurality of pockets isrefracted when passing from high to low refractive index mediums beingso arranged and constructed relative to said object to refract said rayaplanatically thereby substantially eliminating aberration and coma, andall said optical surfaces other than said selected optical surfaces areso constructed and arranged to pass said light ray substantially withoutrefraction.
 11. The optical lens system of claim 10 wherein all saidoptical surfaces other than said selected optical surfaces are soconstructed and arranged that their respective centers of curvature arelocated coincident with the image formed by the next preceding opticalsurface.
 12. The optical lens system of claim 10 wherein said selectedoptical surfaces are sequentially alternate optical surfaces from amongsaid plurality of optical surfaces.
 13. The optical air lens system ofclaim 10 wherein said .[.fist.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.optical medium isa gas, said second optical medium is a liquid and said third opticalmedium is a solid.
 14. The optical air lens system of claim 13 furtherincluding structural support means for holding and positioning in fixedrelationship said plurality of pockets relative to said object.
 15. Theoptical air lens system of claim 14 wherein said object is removablypositioned by said structural means for easy interchangeability ofobjects.
 16. The optical air lens system of claim 14 further including adrinking straw rigidly attached to said structural support means. 17.The optical lens system of claim 10 wherein said plurality of pocketsare individually detachably held by said structural wall means so thatsaid pockets are interchangeable.
 18. The optical lens system of claim10 wherein said object is an optical sensor and said plurality ofoptical surfaces are so arranged and constructed to optimize lightgathering at said optical sensor.
 19. The optical lens system of claim10 wherein said object is a light emitting source and said plurality ofoptical surfaces are so arranged and configured to collimate a uniformoutput beam of light rays emanating from said light emitting sourcerelative to the optical axis of said optical lens system.
 20. An opticallens system operative on a light ray for viewing an object within orcontiguous to a liquid medium from a medium of lower refractive indexsuch as air, comprising:a plurality of light transmissive air lensesformed from a thin walled optical material, structural wall supportmeans for holding and positioning in fixed relationship said pluralityof air lenses so that the optical axes of all of said air lenses areparallel and coincident, each said air lens having a first and secondoptical surface defined by the interface between said air and saidliquid formed by said thin walled optical material, said thin walledoptical material having walls of a thickness to have negligiblerefracting effect on the ray, an object positioned in an object planerelative to said plurality of air lenses such that the center ofcurvature of one surface of at least one of said air lenses lies in saidobject plane, selected optical surfaces from among said first and secondoptical surfaces through which said light ray emanating in a directionfrom said object toward said plurality of air lenses is refracted whenpassing from high to low refractive index medium being so constructedand arranged relative to said object to refract said ray aplanaticallythereby substantially eliminating spherical aberrations and coma, andall said optical surfaces other than said selected surfaces are soconstructed and arranged to pass said light ray substantially withoutrefraction.
 21. The optical lens system of claim 20 wherein all saidoptical surfaces of said air lenses other than said selected opticalsurfaces are constructed and arranged such that the center of curvatureof each is substantially coincident with the image formed by the nextpreceding optical surface whereby said light ray passes withoutrefraction.
 22. The optical lens system of claim 20 wherein said objectlies at the bottom of said liquid medium and the buoyancy of saidstructural wall support means is such that in a given depth of saidliquid medium, said structural support means will stabilize at apredetermined distance above said object.
 23. The optical lens system ofclaim 20 wherein said structural wall support means further supportssaid object at a predetermined distance from said plurality of airlenses.
 24. The optical lens system of claim 23 wherein said object isremovably positioned in said object plane for easy interchangeability ofobjects.
 25. The optical lens system of claim 23 further including adrinking straw rigidly attached to said structural support means. 26.The optical lens system of claim 20 wherein said plurality of air lensesare individually detachably held by said structural wall means so thatsaid lenses are interchangeable.
 27. The optical lens system of claim 20wherein said object is an optical sensor and said plurality of said airlenses are so arranged and constructed to optimize light gathering atsaid optical sensor.
 28. The optical lens system of claim 20 whereinsaid object is a light emitting source and said plurality of air lensesare so arranged and configured to collimate a uniform output beam oflight rays emanating from said light emitting source relative to theoptical axis of said optical lens system.
 29. An optical lens systemoperative on a light ray comprising:a first optical medium having afirst refractive index, a second optical medium having a secondrefractive index of a higher value than said first refractive index, asingle pocket formed in said second optical medium containing said firstoptical medium, said pocket having first and second optical surfaces atthe interfaces between said first and second optical mediums, an objectlocated substantially at an aplanatic point of at least one of saidoptical surfaces within or contiguous to said second optical medium, asurface selected from said first and second optical surfaces throughwhich said light ray when emanating in a direction from said objecttoward said .[.at least one.]. pocket is refracted when passing fromhigh to low refractive index mediums so constructed and arrangedrelative to said object to refract said ray aplanatically therebysubstantially eliminating spherical aberration and coma, and saidoptical surface other than said selected surface is so constructed andarranged to .[.pass said light ray substantially without refraction.]..Iadd.refract said light ray so as to substantially minimize sphericalaberration and coma while tending to complete collimation of saidray.Iaddend..
 30. The optical lens system of claim 29 wherein said firstand second surfaces are concave with respect to said object.
 31. Theoptical lens system of claim 29, further including at least one finaloptical surface of low power for final collimation of said light rayrelative to the longitudinal axis of said optical lens system. .[.32.The optical lens system of claim 29, wherein said surface other thansaid selected surface is so constructed and arranged to have its centerof curvature substantially coincident with the image formed by theselected optical surface..].
 33. The optical lens system of claim 29wherein said second optical medium is a light-transmissive, isotropic,monolithic solid, said object being embedded in or contiguous to saidsecond optical medium.
 34. The optical lens system of claim 29 whereinsaid first optical medium is a gas.
 35. The optical lens system of claim29, wherein said object is an optical sensor and wherein said opticalsurfaces defined by said pocket are so arranged and constructed tooptimize light gathering at said optical sensor.
 36. The optical lenssystem of claim 29, wherein said second optical medium is a lighttransmissive, isotropic solid, said object is a light emitting sourceand said optical surfaces defined by said pocket are so arranged tocollimate said light ray emanating from said optical system relative tothe optical axis of said optical system. .Iadd.
 37. An optical lenssystem operative on a light ray comprising:a first optical medium havinga first refractive index, a second optical medium having a secondrefractive index, a pocket which contains said first optical medium, athird optical medium having a third refractive index configured todefine said pocket and being contiguous to said first and second opticalmediums, said third refractive index being higher in value than saidsecond refractive index and said second refractive index being higherthan said first refractive index, first, second, third and fourthoptical surfaces having coincident optical axes, said first and fourthsurfaces being defined by the interfaces between said second and thirdoptical mediums and said second and third surfaces being defined by theinterfaces between said first and third optical mediums, an objectlocated substantially at an aplanatic point of said second surfacewithin or contiguous to said second optical medium, said first surfacebeing so constructed and arranged to pass said light ray substantiallywithout refraction, said second surface being so arranged andconstructed relative to said object to refract said light rayaplanatically thereby substantially eliminating aberration and coma, andsaid third and fourth surfaces being so constructed and arranged torefract said light ray so as to substantially minimize sphericalaberration and coma while tending to complete collimation of said ray..Iaddend..Iadd.
 38. The optical air lens system of claim 10, furtherincluding at least one final optical surface of low power for causingfinal collimation of said light ray relative to the longitudinal axis ofsaid optical lens system. .Iaddend.